Family and friends know your capabilities and are willing to invest in your dreams.

If your business works out, the people closest to you also benefit.

You are most likely to turn to family and friends for help and advice, and it is better if they have a financial stake in your business.

If the funds are a loan, you have an option not repay it because your friend or family will "understand". With a bank loan, you must pay each month.

Disadvantages

By investing in the business, your family and friends will consider their opinions to be just as valid as yours.

If your business closes and they do not re-coup their money, your key relationships may suffer.

If the funding isn't documented properly loan or equity, your books can get "messy" and hinder you from getting other loans.

If you are offering equity in return for the funding, it may hinder your ability to make business decisions because there is more than one owner.

If you are a sole proprietorship, offering equity for the funding will complicate your legal structure and subject your investor to
legal liability. If you make them a partner, they are legally obligated for all
business debts. The only way to protect them is to incorporate or form an LLC (or take the money as a loan instead).

Selling across state lines

If you are selling securities to people outside your state, you are responsible for complying with SEC rules. Generally,
you do not have to file with the SEC if you comply with Regulation D:

Rule 504: Offering up to $1 million in securities within a 12 month period. You may not publicly advertise. Unless you sell exclusively
to "accredited investors" (they have net worth over $1 million), the securities must be "restricted" -
that means they are not to be resold. This restriction should be stated on the stock certificate.

Rule 505: Offering up to $5 million in securities to accredited and up to 35 non-accredited investors. You may not
publicly advertise. The security is purchased for investment, not the intention to resell. Purchasers cannot be sell the security within a 12 month
period (this should be stated on the stock certificate). You must provide audited financial statements.

Rule 506: Unlimited offering in securities to accredited and up to 35 "sophisticated" investors. Sophisticated
investors must have sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to make them capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment.
You must provide audited financial statements.

It is critical that you decide whether the funds are to be repaid. If yes, this is a loan and it should be
put in your business' balance sheet as a liability. You should document the loan (even in a letter) with the interest rate
and repayment schedule.

If funds are not to be repaid, the funds are either a gift or a partnership investment. Unfortunately,
setting up a partnership investment has complications. Partners have the same liability as the owner, unless you form
a limited partnership, a corporation or an LLC. That means if the business fails, the partners will use their
personal assets to pay any business debts. Unless the partner is involved with the day-to-day operations, most people would
not agree to this.

To solve this problem, you can get creative and set it up as a loan, with payment terms be based on the company's net revenue. Then document
it as a liability on your balance sheet.

To avoid criminal securities violations, you should NEVER publicly advertise the stock and only seek funds from people you directly know. Otherwise, you should work with an attorney
to make sure you are following securities laws.

An attorney can help you do a private placement, which allows you to sell ownership interests to "accredited
investors" (people with over $1,000,000 in personal wealth).

Never advertise ownership interests to the general public. This is a serious
violation of SEC (Securities and Exchange) rules.

If you sell a security, you are responsible for complying with your state's securities regulations. Usually for small transactions there is a simple form to
complete (or no form).

Do not mix personal and business assets or money. Keep your books clean and up-to-date.

If it is a loan, repay it per your agreement and document any changes to that agreement.

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About Us

The Chamber in Jackson County continues its main role as an active leader and facilitator in bringing together the resources of Jackson County agencies and organizations to promote cooperation, credibility, and communication while providing the means of quality growth in the community. The main focus will always be towards the small businesses of Jackson County.